Do I Need A Building Permit To Finish My Attic
A finished attic weighs a lot more than boxes of off season duds.
Do i need a building permit to finish my attic. When a house is for sale and has a finished attic that didn t apply for a permit from the county how should you proceed with the sale. If you are looking to add some space to your home or you just want to increase the value remodeling your attic could be the way to go. Have a pro check the structure. That doesn t mean you can.
In most towns you need to get a permit for everything that you build new and sometimes things that you repair except for cosmetic work like paint. Typically in resales we see that the hvac equipment for the second level is tapped into and is not sized properly to heat and cool the attic area and then the 2nd floor. If your project requires a permit get a permit. Many older homes simply do not have the right types of attics to construe this space.
Hire an engineer to inspect your house s foundation and framing to ensure they. Don t even think about doing an attic expansion without pulling a permit. That ll just come back to haunt you when it s time to sell your home. But before you schedule appointments or even head to the bank for financing you need to secure the right permits.
Space regulations are often a deal breaker for many homeowners. To pull a permit you ll need to a detailed plan that s been reviewed by a licensed structural engineer architect. Please submit your questions v ia email. Permitting in arrears can be done but can be costly as there may be increased fees and some removal of finish materials sheetrock for inspections.
As cumbersome as the process may be it will be better than dealing with the city if it finds out you should but don t have a permit. While local codes vary many communities will not permit the ceiling in a finished living area attics included to be lower than 6 8 to 7 6 from the floor. If you are working with a contractor who suggests skipping this step consider moving on to another contractor. She wanted to know if it was necessary or possible now to apply for the permit now what would be the circumstances if she wants to sell the house and the town will find out that she finished the attic without a permit.
A contractor or a local building official can help you assess how the rule will apply to your attic and how modifications like dormers can resolve height shortcomings. You will also want to be sure to schedule any required inspections and stop work until they are completed.